Tornado, hail risks significant for much of U.S.

A report from CoreLogic showed that many Americans may be at risk of being hit by tornadoes and hail, and this extends far beyond the traditional area deemed "Tornado Alley."

The report, "Tornado and Hail Risk Beyond Tornado Alley," noted that more Americans are aware of these disasters because they have a plethora news services that can bring the information to the home quickly and for longer. In addition, more technology allows experts to learn more about the frequency of the storms. Also, global conditions may be producing more storms.

"The extensive destruction wrought by convective storms in 2011, which produce hail, strong winds and tornadoes, captured the attention of the public and forced many insurance companies to rethink the way they assess natural hazard risk," said Dr.Howard Botts, vice president and director of database development for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions.

Consumers who are looking for disaster insurance for their home may also want to ensure their traditional policy is sufficient. It may be easier to compare home insurance rates online to find the best plan possible.